catalog2015-16

Basic Skills
Our general education requirements are separate from our basic-skills program. This program ensures that students
attain specified levels of competence in mathematics, expository writing, and a foreign language. Basic competence
in these subject areas provides a solid foundation for enhanced learning and academic success in other courses. For
example, algebraic skills are a prerequisite for courses in the physical sciences; writing competence contributes to
student success in all courses; and achievement in foreign language skills supports study and research in foreign
cultures. Moreover, the basic skills program reflects our view that such levels of skill or knowledge in the three
previously listed areas are fundamental to the liberally educated person and should be expected of all Centre
graduates. Competence in mathematics aids our students in their ability to gather, use, and interpret quantitative
data and to reason formally. Effective writing skills increase their capacity to express themselves in an organized,
precise, and convincing way and to think analytically and critically. Achievement in foreign language study develops
their insight into the nature of language—including their own—and in today’s interdependent world serves as a key
to the understanding of the basic modes of thought, life, and expression of other cultures. Ideally, students will
have achieved sufficient skill levels in secondary school to meet Centre’s basic skills requirement. For mathematics
and foreign language, this may be done by passing a College-administered examination at entrance or, in the case of
mathematics, by presenting acceptable scores on the appropriate sections of the SAT or ACT examinations or the
AP calculus exam. Alternatively, students may meet these requirements by earning a grade of "C-" or higher in the
following Centre courses: Mathematics 110 (or 145 by placement), and in Chinese 120, Classics 120, French 120,
German 120, Japanese 120, or Spanish 120/121 (and appropriate courses in Greek and Hebrew when offered).
Student performance in expository writing will be evaluated at the end of the first long term of enrollment. At that
time, students whose writing is judged to be competent will have satisfied the expository writing requirement.
Students whose writing is judged to fall short of competency will be required to submit a satisfactory three-page
portfolio to the Committee on Student Writing by the end of the spring term of the first year or earn a grade of C-
or higher in ENG 170 by the end of the sophomore year.
Further Fluency in Basic Skills
To meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and interdependent world, the College believes all of its students
should attain a level of expertise that goes beyond basic skills in at least one of the following areas: mathematics,
foreign language or computer science. Consequently, students must complete one of the following course options:
1. A mathematics course numbered 130 or higher
2. A foreign language course numbered 210 or higher
3. A computer science course numbered 117 or higher
Summary of Requirements
Foreign Language: 0-2 courses; 0-8 credit hours
Mathematics: 0-1 courses; 0-3 credit hours
Expository Writing: 0-1 courses; 0-4 credit hours
Further Fluency: 1 course; 3-4 credit hours
Humanities: 2 courses; 6 credit hours
Science: 2 courses; 8 credit hours
Society: 2 courses; 6 credit hours
Fundamental Questions: 2 courses; 6 credit hours
First-Year Studies: 1 course; 3 credit hours
Total: 10-14 courses; 32-48 credit hours
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